VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo is expected to be administered a vaccination shot within a day or two after the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency's (BPOM's) issuance of the emergency-use authorization for the vaccine.

"The emergency-use authorization for the vaccine will be released by the BPOM. We expect (the authorization) to be issued in this week or the next. Within one or two days, I expect to receive the shot," the head of state remarked at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Wednesday, while adding that vaccinations will thereafter be administered to doctors and nurses.

The rest of the public will also follow suit to receive vaccinations.

The head of state is optimistic of the situation returning to normalcy following vaccinations. He also reminded that at least 70 percent of the population, or 182 million people, should be vaccinated in order to establish herd immunity.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had earlier noted that the president will possibly be vaccinated on Wednesday, January 13.

The head of state had volunteered to be the first to receive the vaccine in order to take the public into confidence over safety of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In terms of the technical details, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko stated that the procedure to be conducted on the president will be the same as that for the general public. (antaranews)